Coal mining in the Czech Republic saw another significant decline last year, reflecting the government’s ongoing commitment to phase out coal-fired power plants by 2033. Over 25 million tons of brown and black coal were extracted from domestic mines, representing a sharp 17 percent decrease compared to the previous year.
Brown coal continues to dominate the Czech mining landscape, accounting for 95 percent of all coal production. However, this sector experienced the steepest decline, with output dropping by nearly 18 percent to 23.68 million tons. Most of this coal was designated for industrial use. The key brown coal deposits are located in the foothills of the Ore Mountains near Most, Chomutov, and Teplice, with the most significant sites being the ČSA and Bílina quarries.
Black coal, which now represents only a small fraction of the country’s overall coal production, saw a modest decline of 1.5 percent, with 1.35 million tons extracted last year. About 739,000 tons were used for energy purposes, while over 611,000 tons of coking coal were produced for use in metallurgical processes.
The year 2022 stands as a notable exception to this downward trend. During that period, the energy crisis prompted increased use of coal in power plants and households, resulting in a 14 percent rise in extraction. However, this proved to be temporary, as the following year miners recorded a decrease of almost 15 percent.
Currently, only one active black coal mine remains operational in the Czech Republic – the ČSM mine in the Karviná region. Originally scheduled to close by mid-2023, the state-owned OKD company has extended operations until approximately mid-2026. Alongside declining coal extraction, coke production has also fallen by a third compared to the previous year, totaling 1.37 million tons.